Heyas,

Things that make you go "hmmmm":

Why did the AirTran pilots INSIST on keeping OUTSIDE counsel for section one (scope) when they joined ALPA?

Nu

 

I'm not sure I would do it quite like this, and maybe Alfa has a point WRT timing. This is the classic sequence of events when something like this happens:

1) Someone on the internet reports an event and suggests an implication.
2) Someone else takes the ball and runs with it.
3) Someone with some other agenda jumps all over it to criticize the union, or the current people in the union.
4) Someone that's a close supporter of the union, or the current people in the union, jumps in for counter-insurgency and interference.
5) One of these two (above) starts calling the other one stupid.
6) Stupid follows-up with a "I know you are but what am I?"
7) Someone jumps in once again to re-driect, and offers a legal ruling.
8) And someone else sets up expections: the union has to fight, it has to win, and it has to win now, now, now.
9) Everyone agrees: now, now, now is the time.
10) With the expectations thus set, disappointment is almost immediate, and lasting, because the union can't even meet to set a direction, or formulate an answer. By then, everyone in the union, or near the union is on the defensive, and consumed with calling everyone "stupid" that's calling them "panzies".

Personally, I don't care if the union takes a few days. I don't care if the process start local, with a little info from the reps, letting us know they're taking a look at this. Then the MEC can meet. They can talk about with the company. They can seek to find remedies and solution without jumping in the expectations game. They can do a little soul-searching, and a little strategic planning. They can be smart.

I just would like them, once in a while, to conclude from their soul-searching that it's OK to roll the dice on a skirmish, just to make sure the troops are still alert, and reassure us the officers still have some fight in them. I don't want knee-jerk reactions, and I don't need instant reactions either. I just think deliberate planning doesn't preclude ocasionally engaging. And I think a force that's got some fight in it might get some surprising results. But we'll never know if we never try.

This seems like a subject we should battle over.

Let's see what develops.

 

The NMB posts its rulings online (NMB.GOV). The latest one they've put up is from March 29. Might I suggest everyone throttle back for a week or so until we can all read what it really says?

 

Fair enough, I know the issues with just letting guys swap their stuff on the open time board, but did not think it would effect pilot to pilot swaps. Either way, I suspect that the input will be what you state.

I was not sure what it was one of the highest recommendations for the SOT though.

 

Not at the cost of DALPA. A violation is a violation, and most of the MEH and F9 pilots would love to see the Republic side take a little in the shorts.

It will come down to what is legal, and contractual.

 

Frankly, I do not beleive anyone said they are not going to 1) Look at the ruling and its implications and 2) Fight it if there is a change in status as it pertains to our PWA.

Everyone is over at an IFALPA meeting this week and is not around. Call your reps, e-mail em, tell em what you see, read, think. Try to include a copy of the ruling. It does help.

 

Perception.

 

How would this work? ALPA is our bargaining agent. I don't think we can side step our agent to fight a grievance on our own absent ALPA's permission to do so.

 

Or was it prudence?

 

We had a good conversation. I said that this is the greatest threat to my job that I see. Scope. We provide pilot services to ac we fly....if we don't fly the plane then nothing else matters. He was just as hot as me about the issue and said that our council was starting the communication stream with other councils as we speak about this new ruling.

We all know that the proof is in the pudding and only actions speak. So I will continue to let them know this is my #1 concern and as my reps i want them to take it to the nth degree. I feel he and I agree and I will watch how it progresses.